Letter from the Netherlands
Palm growing in Holland, by member W G. Takken.
W. G. Takken, PHV Rynstraat 60, 3904 HJ Veenendaal, Holland
Chamaerops No. 2, published online 23-11-2002
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For about 15 years now I have been growing palms,
cycads, citrus, and some other subtropical plants here in Holland.
I began growing them on the balcony of my apartment,
but when they became too big, I moved to a house with a garden where
I was able to build my first greenhouse. Here I grew Howea forsteriana
and H. belmoreana, Trachycarpus fortunei, Washingtonia filifera,
and Chamaerops humilis. This was in the mid-seventies and palms
were not so easy to find in those days.
It was also around that time that I first saw Cycas
revoluta. It was love at first sight! Nowadays I have around 25
species of Cycas, Dioon, Encephalartos, Zamia, Macrozamia and Lepidozamia,
which, although I love, take second place to palms.
In addition to the above list I have added to my
collection Archontophoenix, Butia, Hedescepe, Livistona, Phoenix,
Rhapis, Rhopalostylis, and Sabal. All these are in the garden from
mid- May until the first frosts are expected. During the winter,
I keep them in a greenhouse where I keep a minimum of about 5¾C.
However, Chamaerops and Trachycarpus are made of
sterner stuff and stay out longer. The former till temperatures
drop to -5¾C. I don't dare risk them below this as they are quite
big plants (trunks of 1m20) and very difficult to come by in Holland.
Also I already lost one specimen in a winter experiment.
I do take chances with 'Trachycarpus fortunei however.
I have one plant in a container, which I leave out until the temperature
falls to about -10¾C. It has about 60cm trunk.
Another Trachy is planted out in the garden and
I leave it, unprotected, to take its chances. After reading so many
claims in 'PQ' I just want to know for myself how much it can take.
I have found that bringing out the palms in spring
can be a bit tricky. Leaf burn is a problem with many of them, and
they certainly need to be shaded against the sun for a few weeks
first.
I have been a member of the International Palm Society
for some years, and the articles in 'Principes' that I enjoy reading
most are those from non-professionals. I am not so keen on the scientific
ones! From the I.P.S. I bought a number of books on palms, and I
also had free seed from the society's seed bank. Growing palms from
seed, however, proved to be quite difficult and you need to be very
patient.
There is one book I have never been able to buy.
It is called "Palms & Cycads" by W. Hertrich. If anyone
has this book, or a photocopy, I would be very pleased to hear from
him or her.
I wish you all success with the E.P.S. and 'Chamaerops'!

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